Preparing your children for school means more than just picking up supplies and getting new clothes. You should also take their smiles into account! We suggest families in Garland, TX, see us for a routine checkup and cleaning before school starts. These visits help improve oral health and protect smiles from cavities and other oral health issues!
Checkups and Cleanings
Children need to begin undergoing routine checkups and cleanings at around age two, as these visits enable the dentist to monitor the smile as it grows and develops, spotting possible areas of concern in the earliest stages. We will look for warning signs of tooth decay and infection, as well as gingivitis and developing misalignment. Treating these issues helps protect little smiles from painful symptoms, and the risk of premature tooth loss or major oral health complications. We’ll also clean the teeth thoroughly, which means using a manual tool and an ultrasonic scaler to remove all plaque buildup from the surface of the teeth. Plaque, a bacterial byproduct, has been linked to higher risks of cavities and gingivitis. The cleaning also leaves the teeth bright and the breath fresh.
Preventive Treatments for Kids
Our team will also discuss preventive treatments designed to help safeguard smiles against the onset of tooth decay. For example, we could apply a special fluoride varnish to the teeth. A naturally occurring mineral, fluoride has been shown to strengthen the outer layers of tooth enamel and prevent tooth decay. In fact, putting small amounts of fluoride in tap water has lowered rates of tooth decay nationwide. The varnish only takes a few minutes to apply, and can be re-applied in future checkup and cleaning appointments. We also have dental sealants, a special plastic coating we add to the rear molars. The sealants prevent food from becoming trapped between the back teeth, which are tough for kids to reach when brushing and flossing. The sealants will stay in place for years and wear away naturally with time.
Homecare and Better Snack Choices
Your children should also be brushing twice daily, when they wake up and again before bed, for two minutes each session. Flossing before bed is also essential. These steps help remove food particles and reduce the severity of plaque buildup. Consider helping your kids make healthier snack choices as well, offer them fruits, veggies, nuts, cheeses, or even sugar-free gum.
Let’s Get Little Smiles Ready for School!
We want to help your children start the new school year with a bright and healthy smile. To learn more about children’s dentistry, then schedule a consultation by calling Mai Dentistry in Garland, TX, today at 972-530-0552. For our patients who don’t speak English, our office is fluent in both Spanish and Vietnamese.
